NAIROBI, Kenya- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the man who rose to power after the controversial impeachment of his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua, is conspicuously missing in action.
Whispers of his apparent sidelining are growing louder, leaving many to wonder: is Kindiki quietly stepping back, or is his political honeymoon already over?
Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, a well-connected insider within President William Ruto’s administration, has added fuel to the speculation with a cryptic tweet.
Referencing Kindiki’s terse New Year’s message, Abdullahi offered a biting critique of those who choose to suffer in silence in Kenya’s high-stakes political arena.
“In Kenya’s politics, it’s always wise to sob/cry loud in public ala DP William Ruto, DP Gachagua, etc. (at least your friends and neighbors will run to your side). Never snivel and sniffle in the dark (you will just trouble mama and the kids with your problems),” the lawyer quipped.
The tweet has sparked questions: is Kindiki in trouble? If so, what kind?
Social media has been rife with speculation, which could be only that, or is something different?
Kindiki’s noticeable absence at major state functions is raising eyebrows.
He skipped the New Year’s Eve dinner hosted by President Ruto at the Kisii State Lodge, a glitzy event attended by the who’s who of Kenyan politics.
This isn’t the first time he has been a no-show at key gatherings graced by the President.
Could this be part of a strategy to carve his own political path, or is something brewing behind the scenes?
Critics suggest that Kindiki may be experiencing the same fate that plagued Gachagua, who infamously clashed with junior officials in the President’s circle.
Gachagua once claimed to have been treated as a mere errand boy, a narrative that ultimately fueled his downfall.
Could Kindiki’s silence signal a similar power struggle?
Gachagua, never one to mince words, has branded Kindiki a “yes man,” a deputy chosen to toe the line rather than challenge authority.
Yet, Kindiki’s track record as a former Interior Cabinet Secretary is far from spotless.
His tenure was marred by the government’s heavy-handed response to the Gen Z protests, which left over 60 dead and hundreds injured.
The shadow of these deaths still looms large over his political career.
Adding to the intrigue, Kindiki’s New Year’s message was uncharacteristically brief, a mere two lines: “Happy, blessed, and joyous 2025. God bless your families, and God bless Kenya.”
While the words were warm, the sign-off—“Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya”—came across as oddly defensive, as though a reminder of his position was necessary.
The silence surrounding Kindiki’s movements and political strategy is deafening. Is he merely biding his time, or has his star already begun to dim within Ruto’s orbit?
State operatives close to the President suggest that Kindiki’s low-profile approach could be a deliberate choice—or a strategic gamble.
“Professor Kindiki is not the confrontational type. When things get politically tough, he retreats into silence,” one insider remarked, referencing his quiet acceptance when Ruto overlooked him for the running mate position in favor of Gachagua.
Sources further hint that President Ruto, ever the strategist, is already scouting for a 2027 running mate.
“The President wants someone who brings firepower to the ticket, and Kindiki might not fit the bill,” another operative disclosed.
“He’s brilliant, but this is a political game, not a classroom lecture.”
